Journal of clinical laboratory analysis
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J. Clin. Lab. Anal. · Jan 2005
Comparative StudyUse of gel microcolumn assay for the detection of drug-induced positive direct antiglobulin tests.
Drugs can result in broad variety of hematologic abnormalities including positive direct antiglobulin test. In this study, we evaluated gel microcolumn assay for the detection of drug-induced antibodies. Direct antiglobulin test was performed by conventional tube and by gel microcolumn assay in 139 hospitalized patients. ⋯ We found a high incidence of positive drug in vitro tests in positive direct antiglobulin test patients. Gel microcolumn assay showed appropriate results for drug in vitro studies. The combination of tube and gel microcolumn assay can improve detection of drug-induced positive direct antiglobulin tests.
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The computer and the digital camera provide a unique means for improving hematology education, research, and patient service. High quality photographic images of gross specimens can be rapidly and conveniently acquired with a high-resolution digital camera, and specialized digital cameras have been developed for photomicroscopy. Digital cameras utilize charge-coupled devices (CCD) or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors to measure light energy and additional circuitry to convert the measured information into a digital signal. ⋯ Later in this decade, interactive immersive computer experiences may completely revolutionize hematology education and make the conventional lecture and laboratory format obsolete. Patient care is enhanced by the transmission of digital images to other individuals for consultation and education, and by the inclusion of these images in patient care documents. In research laboratories, digital cameras are widely used to document experimental results and to obtain experimental data.
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J. Clin. Lab. Anal. · Jan 2004
Clinical value of serum cystatin C by ELISA for estimation of glomerular filtration rate.
The search for whether endogenous markers of changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by serum cystatin C assay and serum cystatin C compare with creatinine clearance by the Cockeroft-Gault formula and the evaluation of its clinical significance as a marker of GFR is important in clinical practice at present. Serum cystatin C was determined by sandwich enzyme immunoassay using a kit. Control blood samples were collected from 70 healthy subjects and 168 patients with various kidney diseases. ⋯ Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were assessed by the ROC plots for serum cystatin C (area under the curve=0.8461, SE=0.057) and creatinine clearance (area under the curve=0.7642, SE=0.068). These data suggest that combined measurement of serum cystatin C is useful to estimate GFR, especially to detect the reduction of GFR. Further studies are required to evaluate the whether serum cystatin C as a more sensitive marker of early renal injury might be extremely useful, particularly in nonproteinuric or unapparent renal disease.
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J. Clin. Lab. Anal. · Jan 1997
Review Case ReportsRapid diagnosis of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) in a patient with respiratory failure using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with calcofluor white (CW) staining.
A diagnosis of exclusion, acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is an acute febrile illness with respiratory impairment, diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid eosinophilia. Whether pulmonary eosinophilia in AEP is primary or secondary remains undetermined. We report here a 22-year-old auto mechanic with severe AEP and acute respiratory failure who required intubation and ventilatory support. ⋯ Transbronchial biopsy was unnecessary and supportive therapy without systemic glucocorticoids was followed by recovery within a few weeks. In this case, bronchoalveolar lavage with CW staining was of great assistance in the rapid diagnosis and initial management of AEP. Our literature review found no prior article using CW staining for evaluation of AEP.